Performance Preview Guide for Chasing Nicolette

Performances:

In Issaquah: Francis J. Gaudette Theatre, 303 Front Street North, Issaquah

September 16-October 25, 2009

Wednesday through Saturday: 8:00 PM

Sundays and Saturdays: 2:00 PM

Selected Tuesdays: 7:30 PM

Selected Sundays: 7:00 PM

In Everett: Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Avenue, Everett

October 30, 2009-November 22, 2009

Wednesdays through Saturdays: 8:00 PM

Saturdays and Sundays: 2:00 PM

Selected Sundays: 7:00 PM

Patrons have different ideas of what material or themes are appropriate for them or their families. For this reason, we provide the following information:

The Production:

This hilarious yet touching new musical charts the love between a Christian count and a Muslim princess in a time of war, hatred, and prejudice — except that the year happens to be 1224. Based on the French Romance Aucassin and Nicolette, Chasing Nicolette confronts the two lovers with endlessly hysterical obstacles: angry parents, murky dungeons, swashbuckling swordplay, a man-hungry convent school graduate, and one very put-upon servant. This must-see new work boasts a melodic score that is both romantic and quirky, with sharp, funny lyrics which accompany a surprising and clever book that will charm you with every word. Chasing Nicolette is a rollicking, romantic comedy you'll want to see again and again.

Versions available to preview: None. This is a new musical making its West Coast Premiere at Village Theatre.

Production length: Approximately two-hours, with one 15-minute intermission. Exact length to be determined.

Synopsis:

Please note: the following information may contain plot spoilers.

ACT 1

The musical opens in present day; the entire cast is introduced as they sing of modern times in the year that the story is set in—1224. Soon the set reveals a palace in Carthage and the King singing of Nicolette, his daughter who was taken captive in a war against the French. Nicolette’s betrothed, Nemur has been searching for Nicolette for 14 years and at 29 years old is more than eager to wed.

The French countryside appears, revealing a romantic scene as Aucassin—the Christian Count Beauclaire’s son—proposes marriage to Nicolette—a lowly Muslim servant. Nicolette refuses him on grounds that although they are in love, he is born to rule and she to serve; she soon leaves. The witty and comic servant Valere enters as Aucassin laments over Nicolette’s refusal. Valere, skeptical of the relationship between a Christian and a Muslim, warns Aucassin against telling his father of his love for Nicolette. When Aucassin does tell his father, Beauclaire is furious. Meanwhile, Nicolette is captured by one of Beauclaire’s men and taken into captivity at a nunnery.

When Aucassin finds that Nicolette has disappeared, he accuses his father of taking her. Beauclaire, still certain that he will not allow his son to marry a Muslim servant girl, informs Aucassin that Count Valence from the country to the North is waging war on them. Aucassin is a pacifist, but tells his father that he will lead the war against Valence if he will allow him three words and one kiss with Nicolette if he wins. Beauclaire agrees to this bargain; Aucassin heads North with Valere.

A castle appears. Aucassin confronts Count Valence and persuades him to duel Aucassin one on one in order to save the lives of many of their countrymen that would die in a war. As they duel, both swordsmen are injured, and ultimately Aucassin wins without slaying Valence. Meanwhile, the scene briefly breaks away to Nemur—the Carthage King’s protégé—in desperate search of Nicolette.

Back at Beauclaire’s castle, Aucassin pleads with his father to allow him to see Nicolette, but Beauclaire refuses, explaining that Valence is so impressed with Aucassin’s victory in their duel that he is offering Aucassin his daughter Gwendolyn’s hand in marriage. Gwendolyn was raised in a convent, and when she and Aucassin meet alone, it is revealed that as she left the convent, a Muslim girl named Nicolette had come to that same convent. Upon hearing this news, Aucassin quickly leaves to find her, forcing Valere to join him.

The scene breaks again to Nemur still searching for Nicolette. Meanwhile, Aucassin and Valere arrive to rescue Nicolette, only to be stopped by Mother Superior. Against his better judgement, Valere decks the nun, knocking her out so Aucassin and Nicolette can escape. Moments later Beauclaire, Valence, and Lord Montescu arrive after having heard from Gwendolyn that Aucassin came to the convent. They interrogate Valere as to the lover’s whereabouts, and when he doesn’t tell them, they take him to the dungeon.

Nemur is still searching for Nicolette when two young lovers—Aucassin and Nicolette—ask him for passage on his boat. He refuses until he hears Aucassin call out Nicolette’s name. Upon recognition that this is the girl he’s been looking for, he tricks Aucassin into getting off the boat. As the ship sails away, Aucassin grabs the bowsprit and attempts to make his way forward. But, Beauclaire shows up just in time to pull him from the boat as he watches Nicolette sail away without him.

ACT II

ACT II opens with Valere chained in a dungeon. Aucassin is thrown into the same dungeon by Beauclaire and Valence. Aucassin insists that no punishment or pain will change how he feels about Nicolette. Meanwhile, back in Carthage, it’s been eight weeks since Nicolette’s arrival and much to the King’s dismay she has taken no interest in her betrothed, Nemur. One day, Nicolette takes Nemur’s clothes to use as a disguise so she can escape the Carthage walls and head to France to try to find Aucassin.

Aucassin is released from the dungeon. Beauclaire and Lord Montescu inform him that they received a royal decree from the King of Carthage stating that his daughter was getting married. Aucassin is devastated and upon receiving the news gives his word that he will marry Gwendolyn.

Nicolette arrives in France disguised as a male Troubadour singer. She learns that Aucassin is now engaged to be married, and she sings him a hurtful tune. Soon, Valere discovers that this male Troubador is actually Nicolette. They devise a plan to break up the wedding, which leads a disguised Nicolette to Gwendolyn’s room. As a disguised Nicolette sings a Troubadouric song to Gwendolyn, Gwendoyln falls in love with her—not knowing she’s a woman—and calls off her wedding to Aucassin.

A disguised Nicolette searches out Aucassin to give him Gwendolyn’s letter releasing him from their marriage agreement. Soon he discovers that the Troubadour is actually Nicolette. After deliberation between Valence, Beauclaire, and the King of Carthage, marriage arrangements between Nicolette and Aucassin, and Gwendolyn and Nemur are secured.

Script Content Details

Please note: the following information may contain plot spoilers.

Violence:

·  There is a sword fighting scene where both swordsmen are stabbed multiple times—however it is not gory.

·  A nun is “knocked out” in one scene.

Sexual content:

·  Scattered kissing throughout the musical.

·  There is one brief kiss between two female actors.

·  There are a couple veiled references to sex.

·  One scene where two actors take some of their clothes off – no nudity.

Language:

·  No swearing. The musical is written entirely in rhyming iambic pentameter.

Substances:

·  One brief scene depicting a character being drunk; this scene mentions ‘stout.’

Others:

·  There are multiple mentions of black and white skin, or Muslim and Christian people not going together. The characters oppose mixed-race marriages, but the message of the show is one of tolerance.

·  There is a comedic song devoted entirely to the importance of lying.

·  There is some silly staging that makes a joke out of the Christian nun towards the end of the show.

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